Four in five rural off-grid property owners would be concerned if improving their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) meant changing to a heating system that might not suit their home, according to new polling from Liquid Gas UK.
Domestic EPC reforms are expected to launch in the second half of 2027. A statement said that a new Home Energy Model (HEM) should give households clearer information about their home’s energy performance and help reduce bills and emissions.
However, under current proposals, homes heated mainly by oil or LPG would not achieve a C on the new Heating System rating. Liquid Gas UK said this could put pressure on owners to replace working heating systems with costly or unsuitable alternatives, raising concerns for the 2.2 million homes off the gas grid and 1.4 million UK homes that rely on traditional heating fuels.
Yet the research found that three-quarters of those surveyed knew little or nothing about the planned EPC changes.
Lizzie and Tim Healy, both 59, own a pre-19th century cottage in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. Despite investing in solar panels, battery storage, roof insulation, double glazing and infrared heating, their home’s original stone walls and existing plumbing make further changes challenging.
Lizzie said: “The original cottage has two-foot-thick stone walls, so cavity wall insulation isn’t an option, and changing to a heat pump would require an overhaul of a plumbing system that currently works effectively.
“My main worry is that older properties like ours don’t seem to be properly understood. I would be concerned if we received a poor energy rating, despite all we’ve already done, simply because we don’t tick the same boxes as a newer home.”
Not only do unnecessary heating changes cause upheaval for rural homes, but they can also be unaffordable.
Of the 100 homeowners polled, 54% of polling respondents said they could afford less than £2,500 towards EPC-related improvements, while 24% could afford nothing.
However, independent analysis conducted by Talan found that installing alternative heating systems, such an air-source heat pump alongside insulation and double glazing could cost more than £45,000 for a modelled older detached home.
After learning about the proposed changes, two-thirds of those surveyed were concerned their home could receive a lower EPC rating, while 69% worried a poorer rating could make their property harder to sell or rent.
For landlords, Liquid Gas UK said this impact is more direct. Privately rented homes in England and Wales will need to meet the equivalent of EPC C by 1 October 2030. Landlords will potentially be required to invest up to £10,000 per property towards meeting the standard before a cost-cap exemption can apply.
Rural landlord Selina Graham manages a broad portfolio of residential properties at Willey Estate in Shropshire, ranging from modern barn conversions to Tudor buildings, and has experience of numerous heating technologies.
She added: “We’ve tried pretty much every type of heating system, and what gets you to a better EPC isn’t necessarily always the right thing for the property or the tenant.
“With older homes, internal wall insulation can be hugely expensive and disruptive and can take valuable space out of already small rooms. Some families have been in these properties for generations. That has to be part of the consideration when deciding how and when improvements are made.
“I think it comes down to understanding how the homes work. They are very different properties, and you can’t treat them all in exactly the same way.”
The polling also found that 86% believe EPC reforms should recognise the differences between rural and urban homes, while 88% agree households should have a choice of suitable heating options.
George Webb, chief executive of Liquid Gas UK, said the findings highlight the need for the Home Energy Model to be more flexible and inclusive of older, rural properties.
He said: “We support the ambition to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions, but rural people shouldn’t be left with fewer choices simply because their home isn’t connected to the gas grid.
“Off-grid homes shouldn’t face costly or impractical changes, particularly where suitable lower-carbon heating options already exist and can deliver progress over time.
“There is a real opportunity to get this right, with a system that works for rural Britain, gives people genuine choice and ensures off-grid households aren’t penalised.”